Fr. Louis M. Cortney, O.S.M.
1914-2000
Fr. Louis M. Cortney, O.S.M., a solemn professed friar-priest of The Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) - U.S.A. Province died on October 21, 2000, after a long illness at Addolorata Villa, Wheeling, IL. 
He was 86 years old and a priest for 61 years.
He was born on September 9, 1914 and baptized William Michael in Gilead, Nebraska, the son of John and Ellen Mary (Deaver). 
He received his elementary education at a rural Cheyenne Co. school and secondary education at St. Patrick's Academy in Sidney, Nebraska.
He entered religious life in the Order of Servants of Mary (Servites) at Mater Dolorosa Seminary, Hillside, IL on September 12, 1931; was vested as a novice on September 4, 1932; professed first vows on September 17, 1933
and completed his philosophy studies in 1935 all at Mount Saint Philip, Granville, WI. He completed his theology studies at Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery, Chicago, IL and Mater Dolorosa Seminary, Hillside, IL. 
He professed solemn vows on December 26, 1935 and was ordained to the priesthood by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard J. Sheil on May 28, 1939 at Mater Dolorosa Seminary, Hillside, IL. 
In 1938 he earned at Ph.B Degree in Math and Philosophy from Loyola University.
Fr. Cortney served the Servite Order and the Church in a variety of ministries. His assignments in the Chicago Archdiocese included: High School Instructor at St. Philip High School (1939-1940), 
Pastor at St. Domitilla Parish, Hillside, IL (1964-1970), Associate pastor at Assumption Parish (Illinois Street), Chicago, IL (1970-1975). 
He was also assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery, Chicago, IL serving the Servite Order as Province Secretary (1940-1952), Province Treasurer (1946-1949 & 1964-1980), Province Archivist, Historian & Examiner (1946-1952),
Province Definitor (1946-1949 & 1964-1966), Provincial of Our Lady of Sorrows Province (1958-1964), Assistant Provincial (1949-1951 & 1966-1967).
His other assignments included: Pastor & Prior at St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, NJ (1952-1958); Chaplain at Alvernia Manor, Lemont, IL (1975-1980); Chaplain at Villa Vianney Retirement Center, Sherman, IL (1980-1990). 
He retired in 1990 at Addolorata Villa, Wheeling, IL where he resided until his death. He was also active in The Institute of Religious Life, Chicago, IL for many years.
Proceeding him in death were his sisters, Marguerite Poole and Lenora Vogt and his brothers, Dennis and Leonard Cortney. 
He was the nephew of the late Fr. Alphonse M. Cortney, O.S.M. and a cousin of Fr. Edward Cortney, Fr. Stephen Deaver and the late Fr. Kevin Cortney, all of Grand Island, NE Diocese and 
Msgr. Lawrence Gibson of the Los Angeles, CA Archdiocese; 
the uncle of many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Visitation and The Mass of Christian Burial were held at Addolorata Villa, Wheeling, IL on October 24, 2000. Interment was in the Servite Section of Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.